In their attempts to find an insurance starter, the Yankees have expressed interest in former Red Sox righthander John Burkett. The 39-year-old free agent went 12-9 with a 5.15 ERA with Boston in 2003 and has also drawn interest from St. Louis, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cleveland and the Cubs. Talks with the Yankees and Burkett are expected to continue this week.

The Yankees are also talking with the representatives for free-agent Japanese right hander Shingo Takatsu, the 34-year-old sidearmer who owns the Japanese record with 260 career saves. Four teams have made offers to Takatsu thus far and the Yankees are not one of them. Takatsu is expected to decide before Jan. 26 whether to accept an offer to play in the majors or return to Japan.